Andrew Wilsher
Show Bio
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2022 World Series has finally arrived. And my goodness, what a series we have in store. The Houston Astros have been blowing teams out of the water, winning the American League without losing A SINGLE GAME in the playoffs, while the Philadelphia Phillies have defied the odds to reach the big one. Game 1 gets started on Friday, and to celebrate the start of the World Series, we’ve asked 4 of Pickswise’s best MLB experts for their series predictions. That’s 4 best bets, all in one place!
Let’s dive in and find out whether our experts are siding with the Phillies or the Astros.
Keith Schmelter: Astros in 5 (+500)
It was a short divisional and conference series for the Astros. They made quick work of the Mariners and then swept the mighty Yankees to earn their 3rd American League pennant in the last 6 years. Their starting rotation of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. seems, well, unbeatable. They have a 2.77 ERA in the postseason through 7 games and are paired with a relief group that has a stunning 0.82 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. While the Houston starting rotation has limited the Mariners and Yankees to a .216 batting average, their bullpen has a .127 batting average against. Their pitching was fantastic in the regular season and, to no surprise, has carried over into the postseason.
I do believe that the Phillies can hand the Astros their first loss of the postseason. Seattle nearly beat the Astros twice in the ALDS, and the Yankees came close in Game 4 of the ALCS, so the Astros are capable of losing. If the Phillies are able to steal a game from Houston, it will likely be in Game 2 against Valdez, since the Phillies are excellent against left-handed pitching. Or, it could come in Game 4 in Philadelphia against McCullers Jr., who looked hittable against the Yankees. The bottom line is the Astros are the better team in all aspects of the game and will win their second World Series in the last 6 years.
Be sure to check out Keith’s full Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros Game 1 predictions
Ryan Hodges: Astros in 5 (+500)
It is too difficult to see any other outcome than the Astros taking care of business once again. The Yankees and Dodgers took much of the spotlight during the regular season, while the Astros were just humming along winning games with rarely even a blip on the radar. The Astros have now won the pennant without losing a game in the postseason. Houston continues to find a way. Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez will start twice if needed. Those guys have been fantastic since Opening Day, and have a great supporting cast with Christian Javier and a very good bullpen.
The core from the Astros’ 2017 World Series Championship and 2019 pennant is largely still intact. This team has the pedigree, and they have won at home and on the road in both high-scoring games and low-scoring games in these playoffs. Houston is too good and consistent. If the Phillies pull off a stunner, I’m comfortable dying on the hill of the Astros.
Chad Wetzel: Astros in 6 (+400)
The World Series is set, as the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros will play for MLB’s top prize.
Both teams have been great this postseason, but I’m taking the Astros in 6. The Phillies’ lineup has been
hot all playoffs, but they haven’t faced a pitching staff like the Astros this October. Led by Cy Young
favorite Justin Verlander and fellow starter Framber Valdez, who has a 1.42 ERA in the playoffs (which
ranks 1st out of all starters with at least 2 starts this postseason), the pitching has been amazing. This Astros group as a whole ranks 2nd with a 1.88 ERA and 3rd with a 0.93 WHIP in the postseason. The Phillies should be able to steal a few games as they have a top 5 pitching staff themselves, but the Astros will prove to be too strong and take home the World Series.
Don’t miss our Phillies vs Astros Game 1 YRFI/NRFI best bets
Mark Lammey: Astros in 5 (+500)
There’s no doubt there’s some magic going on in Philly right now. However, it’s difficult to
imagine anyone beating the Astros at this point. They came into this postseason as the clear
favorite to win the American League, and they delivered. Houston is 7-0 in these playoffs, and now get to
prepare for the Phillies for nearly an entire week. All that does is amplify the biggest advantage
the Astros have had over every team this year.
Houston ended the regular season with the 2nd-best team ERA and easily the best bullpen ERA. Ace
Justin Verlander looks set to win the AL Cy Young and their rotation is deep all the way through.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have been strong, but they’re going to need more than
just those 2 in a 7-game series. Similarly, Philly’s bullpen has been one of their biggest concerns
throughout the entire year. The Astros defeated the Phillies in 2 of 3 games at the beginning of
this month, including a dominating 10-0 win, Philly may be able to steal a game in front of their
home crowd, but this should otherwise be a dominant World Series for Houston.
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